Notes on Forestry and Wood-Use
Purdue University
Cooperative Extension Service	F-23-19
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907	October 1974
PRICE REPORT ON INDIANA FOREST PRODUCTS*
Edgar J. Lott, State Extension Forester, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources; Earl L. Park, Chief Agricultural Statistician, Statistical Reporting Service
The prices given in this report were obtained from a mailed survey to the primary wood-using industries of the State. These include sawmills, veneer mills, handle plants and others. Quotations were asked for the average prices paid for timber products during April 1974. Since prices change with market supply and demand, these prices are indicative of timber values as of April 1974. Prices were reported by species and log grades, and Tables 1, 2 and 3 show comparisons with those prices reported in 1973. The summaries of the questionnaires were prepared on a statewide basis this year since the differences from north to south were considered insignificant.
Sawlogs
Prices reported for all Sawlogs (excluding black walnut) in the State in April 1974 showed a strong upward trend with an average increase of 17. 5 per cent over those given for April 1973 (Table 1). The prices of the three oak species (white, red and black oak) showed a slightly higher average gain of 19. 0 per cent.
Considering all species and grades (except black walnut), the upward trend is highly significant with average prices being $72. 67 in 1972, $95. 27 in 1973, and $110. 90 in 1974. Evidence of continued strength in the oak market is shown by the fact that the three oaks, in all grades, increased from an average price of $103. 09 in 1973 to $123. 33 in 1974.
Considering all species by grades, the greatest increase was 20.47 per cent in the No. 1 grade and 18. 27 per cent in the No. 2 grade. Prime logs showed only a 16. 33 per cent increase and No. 3 logs were up by 15. 20 per cent.
Black walnut Sawlogs showed an average increase, considering all grades, of 34 per cent. The increase was the greatest in the No. 3 logs with 55 per cent and the lowest in the prime logs with 15 per cent. This reflects the apparent slackening in demand for export logs in the upper grades in addition to the continuing decline in the quality of black walnut logs available.
* With the cooperation and support of the Division of Forestry of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics. State of Indiana. Purdue University and U. S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H. G. Diesslin. Director. West Lafayette. Ind. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30. 1914. It is the policy of the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex or national origin.